Laboratories/Panels

ISSUE OF IOC RECOGNITION TO CHEMICAL TESTING LABORATORIES

Since its beginnings, the IOC has adopted rules for the award of recognition to testing laboratories which prove in regular check tests that they are competent in applying the methods of analysis recommended by the IOC. Another requirement for gaining IOC recognition is that laboratories have to be accredited by their relevant national accreditation body.

Driven by a concern to define the organoleptic characteristics of virgin olive oils in precise, scientific terms, the IOC decided in 1981 to devise a method for their evaluation. To do so, it drew on the advances in sensory analysis and on related standardisation work, particularly by ISO.

In 1982, the IOC enlisted the collaboration of institutes and laboratories from its member countries, which helped to draw up a method and accompanying standards specifying the rules for the semantic, physical, material and procedural conditions of assessment. The IOC adopted this method for the organoleptic assessment of virgin olive oil in 1987, since when it has been revised.

Each year a list of laboratories entitled to IOC recognition for the period running from 1 November to 31 October is drawn up. This list is submitted to the IOC Members at their November session and after approval it is made public.

The IOC may request recognised laboratories to test samples involved in cases of arbitration, certification, surveys or checks.

The IOC also runs a recognition programme for sensory testing laboratories that prove they correctly apply the methods recommended by the IOC. Two collaborative tests are run through the year for this purpose, each involving analysis of five samples.

Other requisites for recognition are that sensory labs must be accredited by a national accreditation body, which has to submit the application for recognition on behalf of the lab.

Again recognition is issued from 1 November to 31 October and the list of recognised sensory labs is made public after being approved by the IOC Members at their November session.